Scottish singing sensation Lulu is promising music fans a fun party night  with a couple of surprise guests joining her on stage at Macclesfield.

In her first interview since being unveiled as the headline act for the Macclesfield Borough Council-organised Party in the Park at West Park on Saturday 16 August, Lulu, who turns 60 in November,  says her show will be full of familiar material:

"It's too obvious to say I'll be singing some old hits. At this point in my life, if it's not fun, I'm not interested. I am out to have fun and when I go to a concert what I expect from an act is that they give a good show and do songs that I recognise."

Even in August, fingers need to be tightly crossed for sunshine but Lulu's enthusiasm is undiminished: "I'm praying for good weather. It doesn't really matter, does it? That's the great thing -  get out there and we are wanting to have fun. We don't live in this country for the weather. We just enjoy ourselves anyway.

"I love outdoor events. For us, the British public, to get out to a gig is a celebration. I think there's that atmosphere, heightened fun feeling about it all. I love it, absolutely. Last year I was on the road with Jools Holland and for every single gig we did I had to wear my wellies but people had their chairs, umbrellas, macs, bikinis, food and picnics and it's an incredible thing. I don't remember anything like this when I was young.

Lulu promises a lively show:  "I will have a couple of surprise guests on stage but, in my band, our saxophone player Les Green, son of legendary Benny Green, will be jumping about. I have two cute male dancers and I throw myself around a bit too! "

What of today's music industry: "I like artists such as Timberland, The Feeling, the Zutons, and I love Leona Lewis, who has such a great voice.

"It's not a great time for the record industry, having to be redefined. Most bands and singles are having to become brands rather than selling records. Records are being given away for nothing. It might mean more life performances and that's a good thing. I love doing live gigs. That's really how it started for me and if young kids revert to that now rather than just going into the studio and making records then not being able to reproduce the sound, that can only be good."

The "Big Party Weekend" is supported by Gradus,  AstraZeneca, Ciba Specialty Chemicals, The Emerson Group, SAS Daniels Solicitors, Arco Ltd, Macclesfield Express and 106.9 Silk FM.

Party in the Park will open with The Magic of Motown, a two-hour tribute to a great music era. Tickets are £10 each. Gates open at 5pm.

Tickets are on sale at Macclesfield Town Hall - 01625 504114. They can also be bought from the following ticket agents:  ticketline.co.uk (0871 4244444), quaytickets.com (0870 0666845), whatsontickets.com (0871 2240036).